CRASH is particularly interested in assisting projects that deliver more than just the building work.

Tony Denison, whose background is in the construction industry, founded CRASH in 1991. Troubled by the sight of people sleeping on the streets of London, he began working from his garage in Chiswick to devise a way of relieving the problem of homelessness.

Tony's solution was to enlist the support of leading figures in the construction and property sectors to convert empty offices into temporary cold weather shelters. That same winter, the Government created its Rough Sleepers Initiative and made funds available to allow agencies to operate these temporary shelters. Thus was born a partnership between government, the corporate sector and the voluntary agencies.

A small office with a Chief Executive and support staff has since replaced the garage. CRASH now has 36 Patron companies, which undertake the funding of running costs. Supporting companies in the construction and property sectors provide gifts-in-kind, services and fund-raise to support our projects.

Longer Term Projects

Increasingly, demand for CRASH's services comes from outside London. CRASH has also found that charities' demand for assistance is for increasingly sophisticated solutions for homeless people. These projects are almost exclusively for longer-term projects, such as day centres, year-round night shelters, move-on accommodation, self-build (renovation only) and hostels.

CRASH is particularly interested in assisting projects that deliver more than just the building work, e.g., where construction training is offered to clients, or where clients are running self-help groups.